What qualities should you look for when you hire someone? Reader G wonders, particularly with regard to legal assistants: Can you do a post about tips for interviewing and hiring a legal assistant? I’m a newer attorney and I share a legal assistant with two other attorneys. What should I look for in a new … Read More about How to Hire an Assistant
Great Gifts for Business Associates
What are the best gifts to give business associates and colleagues? It still feels a bit early in the season, but I suppose that’s the best time to plan gift-giving… Here’s Reader R’s question: Not sure if this topic has been covered, but any ideas for holiday gifts for fellow attorneys who refer you business. … Read More about Great Gifts for Business Associates
Cosmetic Surgery and the Office
2017 Update: We still think this is an interesting discussion on breast reduction, coworkers, and other cosmetic surgery/office considerations — but you may also want to check out our more recent thread on taking time off work for plastic surgery. How do you deal with cosmetic surgery (breast reduction, breast enlargement, nose jobs, etc) at … Read More about Cosmetic Surgery and the Office
How Personal Can You Keep Your Personal Life? How to Deal with Nosy Coworkers
2019 Update: We still stand by this discussion of how to deal with nosy coworkers — but you may also want to check out our most recent discussions of work-life boundaries, as well as our discussion of where do you draw the line between personal and private at work. How do you fend off questions … Read More about How Personal Can You Keep Your Personal Life? How to Deal with Nosy Coworkers
How to Help Young Men Dress Professionally
Which blogs provide workwear advice to young male professionals? Reader S wonders, and now is a great time to talk about men’s style since I’m guessing there will be some killer Father’s Day sales coming up… (update: here’s our roundup for some big mens’ sales happening the weekend of 6/14) — Do you know of … Read More about How to Help Young Men Dress Professionally
When to Accommodate Co-Workers
When should you accommodate coworkers to be a “team player” — and when should you hold your ground to avoid looking weak? Reader K wonders, particularly whether she should give up her window: I have an office etiquette question. I’m a lawyer in the public sector and we were recently told that we’re going to … Read More about When to Accommodate Co-Workers
Cupcakes and the Office: How to Say No to Food Pushers at the Office
How do you politely say no to cupcakes at the office? Reader A has a great question, with shades of “how to stop the food pushers at the office,” as well as how to adapt to the “snack culture” at a new office, and more. Here’s the Q: I recently started in a new office, … Read More about Cupcakes and the Office: How to Say No to Food Pushers at the Office
Should You Visit Coworkers in the Hospital?
Should you visit coworkers in the hospital? Reader E wonders… I’m a second year associate at a very small law firm (there are, essentially, five full time lawyers), and have worked very closely with one particular partner since I started with the firm. She found out a few weeks ago that she needs major abdominal … Read More about Should You Visit Coworkers in the Hospital?
How to Show Your Secretary You Appreciate Her
Reader L has a great question about how to show her appreciation for a new secretary who’s doing a great job: I’m a young associate at a new firm and a few times recently, my secretary has helped me put together and file huge motions. Of course such filings are always done up against tight … Read More about How to Show Your Secretary You Appreciate Her
OMG, LOL!!! How to Convey Tone In Email Without Seeming Childish
How do you convey tone in email without seeming childish or girlish? Can you ever use exclamations in emails? Reader C wonders… I’m hoping you can address the issue of using !’s in emails at work. As we all know, tone is hard to convey properly via email. However, whenever I am inclined to use … Read More about OMG, LOL!!! How to Convey Tone In Email Without Seeming Childish
Staying Cool in a Hot Office
How do you stay cool in an overheated office? Reader L — who notes that she is nowhere near “hot flash” territory — wants some advice on working with some overactive radiators: You’ve written about staying warm in a cold office. What about staying cool in a hot office? The weather outside is frightful, but … Read More about Staying Cool in a Hot Office
Dazed and Confused: How to Help a Coworker Present Herself Better
2018 Update: We still stand by this advice on how to help a coworker present herself better — you may also want to check out our guide to executive presence for women leaders. How do you help someone present herself well, without insulting her personality and other innate qualities? Reader A wonders… I work at … Read More about Dazed and Confused: How to Help a Coworker Present Herself Better